Ken Garff, Army Reserve strike employment deal

Ken Garff Automotive and the U.S. Army Reserve have signed an agreement to jointly recruit and retain qualified job candidates.

At a formal signing Friday, Ken Garff Automotive President Robert Garff and Maj. Gen. Peter Cooke put ink to paper and committed themselves to assisting reservists and their families during active service. The Employer Partnership formalizes the relationship between the Army Reserve and the private sector by linking soldiers to job opportunities across the nation.

"Ken Garff Automotive already employs a number of Reserve soldiers and maintains a deep commitment to hiring and supporting the brave men and women who protect and defend America," Garff said. "These warrior citizens have a well-earned reputation as exemplary employees with proven leadership, team work and discipline under pressure, qualities that are immeasurably valuable to any organization."

In April 2008, the Army Reserve created the Employer Partnership Initiative to encourage relationships between soldiers and employers so both parties could benefit. Cooke said reservists receive work-related training and education opportunities while they serve, so at home they are better, more well-rounded workers.

"Employers benefit twice over," Cooke said. They gain access to Army Reserve soldiers who are highly skilled, self motivated leaders. Army Reserve soldiers have two careers, one with the Army Reserve and the other with an employer partner."

Dale Williams, a reservist and employee at Ken Garff Automotive who attended the signing, said having an employer who accommodates his obligation to serve is security he couldn't operate without. In 2008, Williams returned from a stint in Iraq. While serving, his focus was uninterrupted because of Ken Garff Automotive's commitment to him, he said.

"Having to face death while you're thinking of family and friends is a tough duty," Williams said. "But knowing support is at home makes it easier."

Cooke said that partnerships have been established in core industries such as health care, transportation and law enforcement. However, Garff and Cooke both encouraged interested companies to get involved.

By becoming a partner, Cooke said, companies are connected to more than one million Army Reserve soldiers who are trained in a variety of fields.

All Army Reserve soldiers are eligible to participate in the program after they have completed their initial training, have requisite certificates and are in good standing with the U.S. Army Reserve.

To create a partnership, employers may contact Claude McKinney at 801-656-4113 or Chief Rusty Rice at 703-601-0929.

Signing this agreement was Cooke's last act as a major general in the United States Army before his retirement, he said.

E-MAIL: cnorlen@desnews.com